The Lord protects the upright but destroys the wicked.
Proverbs 10:29 NLT

"The center of God's will is our only safety. "
Betsie ten Boom

A refuge and a ruin
Early explorers who dared to cross oceans quickly learned a valuable lesson: The currents of the sea could carry them to their destination, if followed correctly.
Those currents could also divert them from their journey, if ignored.
The very same current can have either a positive effect or a negative effect on a sailing vessel; it all depends on the knowledge and the response of the crew.
God's wisdom is, in some ways, like the currents of the sea.
It can carry us where we need to go. It is our refuge, the means to keep us safe and bring us to our desired destination.
But only if we follow it.
The benefit of His wisdom only applies to those who are willing to line up with it and set their course accordingly. Otherwise, those same beneficial currents will lead to ruin.
History is filled with millions who have tried to follow a path contrary to God's wisdom.
It may be a false religion or philosophy, a personal ambition, a political agenda, an economic strategy, or any other things that we humans, in our ignorance, may set our hearts on.
Millions have sailed against the currents of God and failed. Their end is miserable. What looked so promising was found to be futile.
Do you have a personal agenda? Plans for your future?
Examine them closely and ask yourself if they are thoroughly consistent with God's ways. If not, you could sail comfortably for thousands of miles, thinking you're headed toward the right destination, only to find out you're far, far away.
Even slight variations in the beginning can lead you way off course in the end.
Plan now.
Learn the currents.
Take refuge in the wisdom of God.

Adapted from The One Year Walk With God Devotional by Chris Tiegreen, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for May 14.